looking 4 shooting tips using slow shutter speeds

[danchez]

I'm looking for some tips so I can take better slow shutter speed images. How are you holding your camera? Snap the shutter after exhaling, after inhaling, or during? Shutter speeds around 1/30th give or take. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, there is nothing to brace myself or the camera against.

[ngoduyviet]

Tripod :)

Too obvious? I normally take a long deep breath, exhale and burst 2 or 3 shots at once. If there's a wall or something I can brace myself or my arms, I'd use that too, if not, try to balance myself real well before the shot.

[dminton]

Brace your elbows against your chest

Wrap your left arm across your chest at eye level and grab your right arm. Use the bend of your left elbow to hold the lens. Operate camera with right hand.

[donlfaulkner]

Originally Posted by dminton

Brace your elbows against your chest

Wrap your left arm across your chest at eye level and grab your right arm. Use the bend of your left elbow to hold the lens. Operate camera with right hand.

If I may interject a question at this point. When using a full manual focus camera, how would one focus using this position? Or is this only for those with the luxury of auto focus? Sorry to interrupt.

[bondarnes]

I use the acronym for the Army method for firing an M1 BRASS Breathe, Relax, Aim, Slack, Squeeze.

[revjvegas]

YouTube - Joe McNally - Da Grip

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by revjvegas

YouTube - Joe McNally - Da Grip

I was hoping someone would post this. I use this method, and it works great!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Tripod, monopod, sandbag, bracing your body on an object and then the one posted above but 1/30th of a second isn't that slow I consider slow around 2 seconds or longer and there you need to use one of the first 3 options. Heck I've had shots on film where you have to consider http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recipro...photography%29 and that 12 minute exposure needs 18-24 minutes or more, my longest shot was close to 48 minutes.

[Tom]

I taught myself to use Joe McNally's method before I learned it from him. Using that, I have hand held 2 second exposures.

[dminton]

Am I the only one what wants to cry over the fact that we need to use a Wikipedia link to Reciprocity Failure instead of just saying it and everyone knowing what we mean?

[danchez]

I apologize, I should have been a little more clear in my initial question. No tripod, no objects to brace against. Just pure hand held long exposures, starting around 1/30th and as slow as 1-2 seconds. It sounds like the Joe McNally youtube video is the way to practice. Thanks for all the feedback.

I do have a tripod for when I want the longer than 2 second type exposures. I am just trying to find the best way technique for when I am on the go without my tripod.

[humminboid]

A bit belated, but, I just watched McNally's video. Excellent! I went right out and practiced with my long lens.

One other thing that may help:

Somewhere in the DIY Instructables or a similar web site, I read about a "string monopod" that consists of a 1/4 X 20 bolt, with an eye, or not. Fasten a bit of strong cord to it in the form of a loop, large enough to put your foot in one end, and have the camera and lens come to eye height. Screw the assembly into your camera's tripod socket,step on the bottom of the loop, and the tension on the stirrup increases steadiness, it says in fine print.

I haven't tried it yet, but some folks swear it works, but it seems like it might.